Ash's words left everyone bewildered. A Thunder Stone that doesn't evolve Pikachu? Was this some new species of stone?
"According to the information the Special Inventory gave me, once Pikachu uses this stone, he will never be able to evolve again. However, he gains the strength of an evolved form and can learn moves that only Raichu could normally master!"
In other words, he gains the power of evolution without actually evolving! This was the miraculous nature of the reward.
"Are you serious? Does such an item even exist?!" Steven Stone's eyes were practically bulging. In this world, most Pokémon evolve to raise their limits and instantly spike their power. Aside from training, it's the fastest way to grow.
But evolution isn't always perfect. For instance, Bulbasaur and Turtwig gain massive power but lose their initial agility.
The same applies to Pikachu; evolving into Raichu increases raw speed but sacrifices that unique, tiny-frame flexibility. This stone enhanced Pikachu's speed further without costing him a single bit of agility!
To a stone enthusiast like Steven, this was a treasure he'd love to keep in a display case. But since it was a soul-bound reward for Ash, he could only hope that a future inventory would feature him so he could snag some rare stones of his own!
"Pikachu, come here! Use this, and you'll never have to worry about accidentally touching a Thunder Stone and evolving ever again!" "Pika-pi?" Is the source reliable? "Of course! Would I lie to you?!" "Pika..."
Pikachu chose to trust his partner. As his tiny paw touched the stone, it emitted a brilliant emerald light that liquefied and flowed into his body.
Suddenly, Pikachu's body erupted in violent electrical discharges! Mewtwo (Dream) reacted quickly, compressing the electricity within a small radius so it wouldn't fry the surrounding people.
After ten seconds, the lightning receded. Pikachu opened his eyes, his face full of pleasant surprise. He felt significantly stronger! This set a new bar for Ash's other Pokémon—none of them wanted to be "carried" by Professor Pikachu forever. They were determined to close the gap.
The ten-minute break ended, and the new inventory began!
[Special Inventory—The Hero of Aura is starting.][No Betting Mode this time, but Q&A sessions may appear. Please be prepared.]
In the Footage—
The scene opened with a breathtaking aerial view. Below were two massive, dark masses clashing like storm clouds. As the camera zoomed in, the world realized they weren't clouds, but armies of humans and Pokémon!
The humans wore heavy armor and carried spears, swords, and shields. The Pokémon wore mechanical restraints that looked like shackles.
Every human face was grim; every Pokémon looked feral and enraged. This was... a war.
[Lance: What is this?! Is a war breaking out? How can they put those shackles on Pokémon?!]
[Wallace: This is... so inelegant. War? That's a term from the distant past. Are Pokémon going to become weapons of war in the near future?]
[Mr. Goodshow: I will never let that happen as long as the League stands!][Leon: Unless we Champions are all dead, Pokémon will never be tools for war!]
The world was horrified. They didn't know when this was, but it was clearly a war where humans used Pokémon as living weapons. This sight made the modern League's talk of "bonds" and "peace" look like a joke.
[Giovanni: Is this the 'harmony' your League preaches? Hilarious! Humans are, and always have been, like this. Using Pokémon as tools is the natural order, just like in this video!]
[Ash: You're wrong! This world belongs to both humans and Pokémon! Our status is equal! Forming bonds and growing together is the right way!]
[Giovanni: Oh? Then why is there a war? Where are you, Ash? Why don't you stop it then?][Ash: ...If I were there, I definitely would! Absolutely!!]
In the Footage—
The perspective shifted to a winding mountain path amidst a sandstorm. A blue and black canine Pokémon was sprinting through the dust—Lucario! Its majestic appearance was instantly recognized worldwide.
The audience then experienced the "Aura Sight" perspective. Even without using its eyes, Lucario could "see" everything around it through Aura.
Lucario sensed the approaching armies and ran to a blue crystal. It funneled its Aura into the crystal to telepathically contact a young man named Sir Aaron.
Sir Aaron was strikingly handsome, with azure eyes and a noble face, wearing a blue-and-black outfit with a flowing cape. Beside him stood a beautiful woman in regal attire.
[Queen Ilene: Ancestor Rin?! Lord Aaron?!]
[Lance: You recognize them? Are you the current Queen of Cameron Palace?]
[Queen Ilene: Yes, Champion Lance. I am. Aaron is a legendary figure from a thousand years ago. In our legend, two armies were set to clash at Cameron Palace, and Lord Aaron stopped the war single-handedly. He is known as the Hero of Aura.]
[Cynthia: If this is the past, it makes sense. A thousand years ago, Poké Balls didn't exist. Humans feared Pokémon power and called them 'magical beasts,' binding them with tools.]
In the Footage—
Lucario reported the army's arrival and admitted he couldn't stop them alone. Suddenly, three Houndoom—the vanguard of one army—attacked!
Lucario dodged every strike with ease, but dust got into his eyes, blinding him momentarily. However, instead of losing, Lucario went full power! Blue Aura radiated from him, mapping out the entire battlefield in his mind.
He became faster and more precise. He slammed two Houndoom into a cliff with Aura strikes and finished the third with a powerful Aura Sphere.
Lucario then rushed toward the center of the conflict. Meanwhile, Sir Aaron made a difficult decision. He flew his Pidgeot toward the battlefield.
When Lucario finally reached him and asked what they should do, Aaron's answer was shocking:
"Leave this place, Lucario! I have decided to abandon the castle and flee. You should go too!"
Before Lucario could process this, Aaron threw his staff. A brilliant light erupted, sucking Lucario inside and sealing him within the staff. Aaron then leaped away across the cliffs.
The world went silent. The legendary Hero of Aura... ran away? And he sealed his most loyal partner to do it?
Queen Ilene, back at Cameron Palace, looked at the staff in her hands with a trembling heart. Is Lucario... still sealed inside here?
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